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Player Review
93 - Rare
Okay so here goes, I have to preface this review by the fact I got the luckiest I ever have with a pack opening playing Ultimate Team in 10 years. I packed Messi in a Two Player Pack as an untradeable, I realise this means that on the "value for coins" section I cannot give much info as I did not have to pay and so I'm unsure if he is worth it. What I can say though is that he took me from being a steady Div 4 player to Div 1 at points singlehandedly.
I mainly used him as CAM in a 4231 formation or as a ST in a 4222 or 442 with the False 9 instruction on, as with Messi IRL he plays between lines and that's why he can be so effective. For me, he was Mr Reliable, the player I could call on in any game that would produce that magic to make a difference, whether: a killer ball through, a great strike, a mesmeric dribble or a penetrating run. He is surprisingly amazing at attacking positioning and running, his movement pulls defenders and catches them out a lot and so is always making things happen directly or indirectly. His record for me speaks for itself, I have played with him on SB Legendary, Rivals Div 4 to 1 and Champs, between all these he is scoring over 2 goals a game with a record of 177 goals in 87 games.
Obviously, the card needed a pace boost to compete in this game, its begrudging but something we have to bear, and the first thought most would have is Hunter obviously. I chose to put a Catalyst on for a few reasons: Firstly, his finishing and longshots are 95 and 94 respectively and thus it feels a waste to me (especially as he gets less out of that chem style than a Catalyst). Secondly, the Catalyst means his lowest passing stat is 95 (vision) which is just criminal to be honest, as the main focal point of attack being able to split defences with passes out wide or to my ST I could effectively retain possession and cause all sorts of problems. A lot of people naturally use their CDM's to manually cut your passing lanes, Messi can largely ignore this due to his upgrade in passing.
His shooting is also incredible, as noted above, and I have found his 4* WF is largely ignorable, there is a stray shot on average I would say 1 in 5 games due to it. Otherwise, my only advice on it would be to power shot only with the right foot and then power and finesse on his left.
Speed - his size and dribbling ability is uncanny and he can shrug off and ignore far larger players who should really be able to out-strength him off the ball. Otherwise, it is rare a player can actually catch him up once he is through and you can use his tight dribbling and skills to round players when required.
Shooting - incredible ability inside and out of the box, can score and type of goal you want really. I tended to score from in the box, this mainly being due to my playstyle and his agility allowing him to find that crucial space in the box.
Passing - he is everything I want in someone who can pass, the Catalyst has paid off unbelievably and I wouldn't even consider using a Hunter on him frankly. He makes those passes that just look effortless and due to his top tier ability to distribute he makes passes at a higher quality than expected.
Mr Reliable - if I struggled in any game, whether they be good opposition, drop back tactics or locking up, I could always rely on him to find the space, beat a player 1 on 1 etc. He is the key that unlocks a team for me or gets the goal alone and wins me the game.
Stamina - 72 looks poor, I never found him to have an issue with stamina though throughout a game, even the longer 120-minute ones. He's still able to run and dribble, causing opposition defences issues regardless. Otherwise, as I used him as the pass master, he is fine to be on the lower end as you can utilise him as the players that breaks the opposition down, he is a constant threat on the ball. I would advise either a higher stamina ST or subbing a fresher ST on late-game to abuse his passing when needed in tight games.
It's not quite a con but this seems the appropriate place to say - I cannot say he is value for coins or not having not actually paid for him. However, if knowing what I do now would I pay this much to buy him then yes. No one in my team matches the quality and consistency of Messi and he is literally the lynchpin in my entire team for me. I know that until potentially the end of the games cycle I will not be purchasing another RW in the game, every team will have to factor in Messi for me.
Defence - Obviously at his height and stature he is not a defensively suited player, however he really isn't someone who should ever be engaged in that. Otherwise he is nippy and can harass your opponents defenders on the ball so that's as close to defensive ability he gets.
